A man with a 5-year history of multiple psychiatric admissions is brought to the emergency department by the police. this client was found wandering the streets disheveled, shoeless, and confused. based on his previous medical records and current behavior, he is diagnosed with schizophrenia. the nurse should assign highest priority to which nursing diagnosis

The correct answer is anxiety.

The patient's condition and behaviour indicate a very high level of withdrawal and an effort to protect himself from the surrounding environment. This could be the source of severe anxiety or panic. Also, the patient is confused and exhibits disturbed thought processes. He also seems to have impaired verbal communication and his disheveled and shoeless appearance signifies his deficiency in dressing and grooming himself. The nurse's highest priority is to reduce the patient's anxiety in order to protect himself from any self-harm attempts and also protect others from possible injury.